Last year’s draft class for the Buffalo Bills wasn’t exactly some of Brandon Beane’s best work for the Buffalo Bills. With a mixture of injuries and just pure lack of immediate talent, the 2024 draft class for the Bills wasn’t exactly one that shined. However, they were all rookies so they will get a little bit of a pass.
Heading into the 2025 season, Bills fans are hoping that the second-year players can step up and make a better impact. While we saw flashes, there wasn’t a ton to be impressed with. Buffalo made ten selections last year, but there were only five who made some sort of impact (for better or for worse) that are on this list.
With that, we take a look at the superlatives for these five second-year players for the Bills.
5 second-year superlatives for players drafted by Bills in 2024
WR Keon Coleman
Most likely to get votes for Offensive Player of the Year
If Keon Coleman can manage to stay healthy, I firmly believe that he is someone who can take a gigantic step forward from his rookie year. A wrist injury in the middle of last season hurt his production, but in the first six weeks he showed a good amount of promise in the offense. In just 13 games played and in an offense where it was focused around Josh Allen, James Cook, and even Khalil Shakir, Coleman still recorded 556 yards and four touchdowns.
As long as Coleman can stay on the field, I would not be surprised at all to see Coleman go for over 1,000 yards and receive some votes for Offensive Player of the Year.
S Cole Bishop
Most likely to make Pro Bowl
Most people keep saying that the Bills’ safety room is the weakest position group on the roster and while there is an argument for it, Cole Bishop is not the reason why. While he got off to a slower start to his career due to a shoulder injury, Bishop showed a lot of promise as a true run-stopper for the Bills down the stretch last season.
It helps that he’s at a position that Sean McDermott usually has a lot of success with and he is the only true player that has a guaranteed future beyond 2025 in Buffalo. I’m all in on Cole Bishop having arguably the biggest step forward out of anyone from this draft class and making his first Pro Bowl.
DT DeWayne Carter
Most likely to be on the roster bubble
I know, putting a second year player on the roster bubble might be a massive stretch. But we can’t forget about the offseason that Brandon Beane delivered for the defensive line. He signed Larry Ogunjobi and traded up twice in the draft to acquire T.J. Sanders and Deone Walker. While Ogunjobi is facing a six game suspension for violating the league’s PED policy, don’t think for a second that Carter is a true lock for the roster.
He missed a great amount of time last season and he was also a healthy scratch for numerous games later in the season. Again, it’s more likely that he will be on the roster but based on the offseason that the Bills had, there is an argument that he could be in roster trouble.
RB Ray Davis
Most likely to lead Bills in rushing touchdowns
Outside of Cole Bishop, Ray Davis is a great candidate to have a great 2025 season for the Bills from this draft class. As a true backup to James Cook, Davis still managed to rush for 442 yards on the ground and 189 yards through the air. He also had six total touchdowns. Offensive coordinator Joe Brady has done a great job at not forcing QB-runs with Josh Allen, but putting the ball into the running back’s hands.
Even though James Cook was tied for the most rushing touchdowns last season, the ongoing contract drama between him and the Bills could affect his production. That’s where Davis can step in and take advantage of his opportunity.
DE Javon Solomon
Most likely to beat out a veteran for roster spot in 2025
The Bills may have drafted themselves a steal in Javon Solomon, he just hasn’t had a lot of time on the field to prove it. Despite only playing 15% of defensive snaps last season, Solomon still managed to get two sacks and six QB hits. Since the Bills love to rotate their edge rushers frequently, there should be no question that he is on the roster.
In addition, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him take a roster spot away from a veteran like A.J. Epenesa. Since the Bills signed Michael Hoecht and Joey Bosa, drafted Landon Jackson, and extended Greg Rousseau to a four-year extension, it feels like this room might be too crowded and someone is going to be let go. That someone could very well be Epenesa just based on logistics.
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